This course emphasizes the role of individuals in history, particularly those who have been left out of "traditional histories". Though African women have increasingly been written into an historical narrative, they remain subjects versus authors of their own lives. Where can scholars draw the line between victimization, resistance, and cultural/ethnic nationalism? Through memoirs (fact and fiction) written by African women, the class will explore various individuals' struggle for psychological and cultural self-determination. Authors include Bessie Head, Wambui Otieno, Winnie Mandela, Mariama Ba, Tsitsi Dangaremba, and Aissa Djebar.

See History section for description.